Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina |
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Írta: Administrator
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2011. október 15. szombat, 19:21 |
The Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the 2011 Enlargement Package adopted by the European Commission on 12 October. The conclusion of the Report was that the overall pace of reforms has been very limited. Some results were achieved – visa liberalisation for travel to the Schengen area was granted to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina holding biometric passports.
Within the established framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process, Bosnia and Herzegovina has engaged with the EU in a Structured Dialogue on Justice. However, the failure to reach a political agreement on the formation of state-level authorities has hampered Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress on key reforms needed to make further progress towards European Union integration.
The Constitution remains to be harmonised with the European Convention on Human Rights and the State Aid Law needs to be adopted at the state level. A common understanding by the political representatives on the overall direction and future of the country and its institutional setup remains necessary. The European Union accession process requires functional institutions at all levels and an effective coordination mechanism on European Union matters.
As regards human rights and the protection of minorities, despite some progress in implementing the Roma Strategy, the Roma minority continues to face very difficult living conditions and discrimination. Political pressure on the media continued, as did its ethnic bias. Cases of intimidation against journalists also continued.
Despite the establishment of a coordination body in the Federation, the number of divided schools ('two schools under one roof') and mono-ethnic schools remains a cause for concern. Significant progress was made with regard to the Sarajevo Declaration Process on refugees and displaced persons. Cooperation between the courts and prosecutors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia is ongoing.
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